SF firefighters mop up after major North Beach blaze

Fire at Union and Powell streets in San FranciscoMedia: Christina Lalanne

Fire on 650 block of Union Street in San FranciscoMedia: David Essling

Massive fire in San Francisco's North BeachMedia: David Essling

Fire raging through building on Union Street in North Beach

Media: San Francisco Chronicle

Firefighters hosed debris from the streets and checked for flareups Sunday after a major blaze ripped through a three-story North Beach building the night before, damaging at least 10 businesses and displacing eight people from their homes.

The fire was reported just before 7:30 p.m. Saturday at a brick building at 659 Union St., across from Washington Square Park. While the fire was contained to a single structure, smoke damaged neighboring buildings and caused at least 10 businesses to be evacuated.

Flames soared high into the sky above North Beach, and firefighters brought the blaze under control by around 1 a.m. No one was injured.

Firefighters hose debris from the streets and check for flareups Sunday after a blaze ripped through a three-story North Beach building the night before.

Firefighters hose debris from the streets and check for flareups Sunday after a blaze ripped through a three-story North Beach building the night before.

Photo: Sophie Haigney / The San Francisco Chronicle

Photo: Sophie Haigney / The San Francisco Chronicle

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Firefighters hose debris from the streets and check for flareups Sunday after a blaze ripped through a three-story North Beach building the night before.

Firefighters hose debris from the streets and check for flareups Sunday after a blaze ripped through a three-story North Beach building the night before.

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On Sunday, ash littered Columbus Avenue, Powell Street and Union Street. Windows of the building were blown out, and the top front of the structure appeared to be little more than a facade.

A firefighter was injured during the cleanup Sunday morning after slipping off his truck and striking his head on the ground. He was taken to a hospital in stable condition, said Fire Lt. Jonathan Baxter.

Fire Capt. Abdul Khadir said investigators would examine the scene to determine the cause of the blaze. “The crews are here to make sure there aren’t any hot spots,” he added.

Ray Alexander, who has lived in the area for almost 40 years, watched the fire rage Saturday night as he looked out the window of his apartment.

“It looks like all the businesses down below are just gone,” Alexander said Sunday morning as he checked out the damage. “The neighborhood’s changed a lot, and it’ll probably change some more.”

Salvatore Cortara, the owner of Michelangelo Cafe, which suffered smoke and water damage, said he would probably have to close his family-run Italian restaurant down for about a month.

Cortara said the fire was yet another blow to his business, which he said has been struggling over the past few years due to constant construction in the area.

He was looking forward to the foot traffic on St. Patrick’s Day to make up some rent money. But, instead, the 50 or so customers sitting down in his restaurant Saturday night had to suddenly run from the towering blaze — leaving behind full plates of ravioli, calamari and chicken parmesan.

“We’ve been having very bad business already,” he said. “We were waiting for St. Patrick’s Day to make some money. But now I’m going to be closed.”